POOLE have been given a place in the PREMIERSHIP KO Cup in shock news from the BSPL AGM.

The Pirates will get a wild card slot in the top flight knockout competition, drawing Sheffield.

Other headlines include the Championship being given a bonanza weekend with the Championship Pairs at Workington, Saturday April 5 (3pm) and Championship League Riders’ Championship at Scunthorpe, Sunday April 6 (3pm).

There will also be a return of the British semi-final at Leicester. 

The sport’s AGM has been completed where rules, regulations and arrangements for next year have been finalised, including a high-profile weekend early in the season when both of the Championship’s major events will take place.

Both the Premiership and Championship will enjoy stability of membership, with no changes to competing teams, and all of the existing competitions taking place once again.

However, an exciting addition to the Premiership KO Cup is the inclusion of Championship winners Poole along with all seven regular top-flight clubs.

Meanwhile, the sport is set to build on its commitment to youth development with a potential extension to the National Development League, due to entries from new teams, which is likely to result in an increased number of fixtures for the riders.

A new initiative is also planned from Ipswich on the subject of development, and the club will reveal full details in due course.During the AGM significant talks were also held regarding the future of the sport over the coming years. We will be providing more updates on the various initiatives and developments during the winter.

BSPL Chairman Rob Godfrey said: “I’m really pleased that all the clubs have come back to the table, and we have consistency in terms of fixtures and competitions.

“We spoke last year about the importance of Youth development so it’s pleasing to see that looks like being extended, and certainly Ipswich are going above and beyond with what they’re planning.

“There is plenty to look forward to next season but also a great deal of work going on further down the line, and we’re all positive about what’s to come.”

 

PREMIERSHIP

Clubs: Belle Vue, Birmingham, Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Oxford, Sheffield.

Points limit: 40 (for the top six) plus Rising Star.

KO Cup draw: Birmingham v Leicester, Poole v Sheffield, King’s Lynn v Oxford, Belle Vue v Ipswich. Ties to be raced in the same week. Semi-finals: Birmingham/Leicester v Poole/Sheffield, King’s Lynn/Oxford v Belle Vue/Ipswich.

It can also be confirmed that King’s Lynn have switched their regular race-night to Monday, which provides assistance in terms of fixture planning and evens out the schedule between Mondays and Thursdays.

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “I’m pleased we have strength and continuity in terms of keeping the same points limit, along with the Rising Stars, and the same competing clubs, and we felt there was no need to make change for change’s sake.

“The points limit itself was agreed over a month ago, following several meetings leading up to the AGM, and it’s pleasing that we’re also looking at rule changes and improvements for 2026, so we are trying to look a year in advance.

“In terms of fixture planning, we are looking into doing more Bank Holiday double-headers, and all clubs have discussed which others they can work with in terms of reasonable distances to travel.

“It’s good to have all the teams in the KO Cup, including Oxford this time, and we felt it would be great to have eight clubs competing with no byes, so Poole were invited in as Championship champions, and they accepted.

“They will be given a concession to build to Premiership level whilst keeping the majority of their team, and should there be any rider clash, the Premiership team would take priority.”

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

Clubs: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Workington.

Points limit: 40 (for seven riders), set for three years.

KO Cup draw: Preliminary round: Edinburgh v Workington; Quarter-finals: Scunthorpe v Oxford, Berwick v Redcar, Poole v Plymouth, Glasgow v Edinburgh/Workington.

BSN Series: Scottish – Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow; Northern – Redcar, Scunthorpe, Workington; Southern – Oxford, Plymouth, Poole.

Championship Pairs: Workington, Saturday April 5 (3pm)

Championship League Riders’ Championship: Scunthorpe, Sunday April 6 (3pm)

BSPL Chairman Rob Godfrey said: “It’s an exciting prospect to be opening the Championship season with the two shared events.

“It should be a real bonanza weekend of racing with top line-ups, and we’ll be looking to give good value with hopefully some joint promotions across the meetings.

“We want to get these in at a time when rider availability is not a problem, and we’ve got to recognise the change of format with the British GP, with more going on there with the qualifying the day before, so that’s why we’ve moved these events to the beginning of the season.”

BRITISH WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Following the success of this season’s event at Leicester, this meeting will once again take place at Beaumont Park in 2025, running in conjunction with a round of the British Youth Championship.

TESTIMONIALS: Four riders have been granted Testimonial Meetings in respect of their long service to British Speedway. Those riders are: Ryan Douglas, Jason Doyle, Nicolai Klindt and Tai Woffinden.

REFEREES: It has been highlighted that the increase in live transmission of meetings in the UK (TV and streaming) has put referees under the spotlight more than ever before. The SCB made a presentation to the members of the BSP Ltd, whereby continued work with the Association of Referees will take place to assist the referees, and to try and help improve the sport in all areas.

 

Words by Holeshot Media. 

Images by Taylor Lanning.